Massaging device.



- No. 687,363. Patented Nov. 26, mm;

P. E. WIRT.

MASSAGING DEVICE.

(Application filed June 11, 1900.)

(No Model.)

2 sheets sheet I.

No. 687,363. Patented Nov. 26, I90l. P. E. WIRT.

MASSAGING DEVICE.

(Application led June 11, 1900.1

2 Shets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

l M V W I W 1 i W mes.

PATENT PAUL E. \VIRT, OF BLOOMSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MASSAGING DEVICE.

SPEGIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,368, dated November 26, 1901.

Application filed-June 11, 1900. Serial No. 19,916. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL E. VVIRT, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Bloomsburg, in the county of Columbia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and use.- f ul Massaging Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved massaging device especially designed for the gentle massaging or rubbing of the scalp to stimulate the same, and thereby strengthen and promote the growth of the hair.

It is a well-known fact that the proper rubbing of the scalp tends to strengthen the growth and health of the hair, and heretofore this has been accomplished in an effective manner by rubbing with the fingers of the hand, or, in other words, by hand-massaging. Combs and similar devices while effective to a certain extent are nevertheless usually harsh and hard in their action and oftentimes cause injury to the scalp, and thereby retard rather than promote the growth of the hair. This is especially true of the excessive use of a hard comb orbrnsh and in fact of any device which is worked downward through the hair and which has a scraping action upon the scalp.

The present invention contemplates an improved massaging device which closely simulates the human hand, whereby the same gentle and effective massaging of the scalp may be accomplished as by the fingers of the hand. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the invention to provide a massaging device which will exert a gentle rubbing action upon the scalp beneath and at the roots of the hair without tangling the same and without the disadvantage of working the scalp with the hair interposed between the same and the device.

With these and many other objects in view, which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and relation of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated,and claimed.

The fundamental features of the invention embodied in the formation of the hand-like rubbing member of the device are necessarily susceptible to a variety of modifications without departing from the scope of the invention; but the preferred embodiments of the device are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a simple form of massaging device embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the hand-like rubbing member of the device provided with soft contact-faces at or near the tips of the working fingers. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of a portion of one of the Working fingers, showing the use of an inserted soft rubber nipple to provide the rubbing contact-face. Fig. at is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing another modification of the contact-face forthe working finger. Fig. 5 is a similar vicwof still another modification of the means for providing a softened contact-face for the working finger. Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of a modification of the device in which the same is constructed to constitute a fountain-massager for simultaneously rubbing the scalp and applying a lotion or tonic thereto. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the form of device shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing a modification of the fountain form of device in which different means are shown for forcing the lotion or tonic through th ducts of the working fingers.

Like numerals of reference designate corof the device the scalp-engaging part, which constitutes the rubbing member 1 of the device, is usually carried at one end of a handle 2, which may be straight or curved, but is usually straight to provide for manipulating the device with the greatest comfort and without causing the hand or arm to assume tiresome elevated positions. The handle 2 may be plain or ornamental, like the handles of brushes or other toilet articles, and may be formed either separate from or integrally construction are similarly in flexed to the natuml inflection of the human hand, whereby the entire rubbing member 1 is of a hand-like construction and closely simulates the natural appearance and position of the human hand. It is by reason of this formation of the rubbing member that the gentle massaging of the human hand can be closely reproduced or imitated or at least the same beneficial results secured. 4

It will be observed that the plurality or group of working fingers 4 are bent or bowed inwardly at a pointintermediate their extremities to provide for the same readily conforming to the curvature of the scalp, while at the same time the outer ends or tips of the said fingers are arrrnged in the same transverse working plane. The active portions of the rubbing member are located at or near the tips of the said working fingers 4, and at such points the said fingers are provided with rounded contact-faces 5, which contact-faces are not only located at the inner sides of the fingers, but also extend around the extreme outer terminals thereof, so that in all positions of the device the same gentle and soft frictional rubbing ofthe scalp maybe etfected.

Another important feature of the invention is the construction of the device from such material as will permit of the individual fiexing of the working fingers during the action thereof, whereby the same will be independently yieldable, and as the device is manipulated the contact or free ends of the fingers will accommodate themselves to the shape of the head and all of said fingers will bear equally upon the scalp, thus securing a uniform massaging or rubbing action, which is both pleasant and effective and may be carried out with great benefit to the scalp and hair without the tiresome and less cleanly use of the fingers. It is therefore to be understood that the fingers 4 of the rubbing member are separately and independently yieldable to provide for carrying out the action of the human hand in rubbing the scalp, and while different kinds of material, even metal, may be utilized in the construction of the device hard rubber is preferably desired on account of its natural elasticity and fieXibility and the special advantages it possesses for use in the construction of toilet or similar articles.

In the practical carrying out of the invention the rounded contact-faces 5 may be incontact-faces be desired which are softer than the material of which the entire device is constructed such contact-faces may be provided in difierentways-such,forinstance,as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, of the drawings. One suggested modification is shown in Fig. 2, and consists in applying to the working fingers 4, at or near the tips thereof, soft rubher or equivalent coverings 5, while the construction SllOWIl'lll Fig. 3 accomplishes the same result by utilizing a soft-rubber nipple 5 of a bulbous form and inserted in a recess or socket 6, provided in the fingers, at or near the tip ends thereof. Another modification of the soft contact-faces is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and consists in applying to the tip ends of the working fingers 4 rounded or bulbous caps 5, while even this form of construction may be modified, as shown in Fig. 50f the drawings, by slipping over the outer end portions of the working fingers rounded collars 5, which interlock with the annular grooves 7, formed about the finger ends. In all of these modifications, however, the same result is accomplished-mamely, to provide rounded cushion-faces projecting from the inner sides of the fingers, at or'near the outer ends thereof, whereby a soft contact with the head is provided and a gentle and easy friction insured; but it will of course be understood that any of these means may or may not be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.

Another modification of the invention resides in the embodiment of the hand-like rubbing member with means for supplying a tonic or lotion directly upon the scalp as the device is manipulated, thus providing what might be properly termed a fountain-massager. One form of this embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings and essentially consists in providing a hollow handle which is formed within one end thereof with a resewoir-chamber 8 for the lotion or tonic and with a longitudinal conduit 9, adapted to communicate with liquid-ducts 10,extendinglongitudinallythrough the working fingers 4, from end to end thereof. In this construction the hand-like rubbing member is preferably joined to the handle by means of a detachable screw-joint 11, which permits of the ready cleaning of the parts. At this point it will be observed that while all of the working fingers have been shown as provided with liquid-ducts it is within the province of the invention to construct only one of the working fingers with a duct.

In the construction being described the reservoir-chamber 8 of the handle opens at the outer end of the latter into a compressible bulb 12, which is detachably fitted over the neck 13 at the outer end of the handle, so as to be readily removable to facilitate the filling of the chamber 8. In connection with these elements there is associated a drain- ICO IIC.

tube 14, fitted at one end, as at 15, in one end of the conduit 9 and having its opposite end projecting through the outer end of the handle and into the compressible bulb 12. It will be observed that the said tube 14 acts in the capacity of an emptying device for the chamber 8 and the bulb 12, the latter upon compression thereof, with the device in an operative position, serving to force the tonic, lotion, or other liquid out upon the scalp during the massaging operation.

While the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 constitutes the preferable form of foun tain-massager, still other means can be utilized for forcing the liquid out upon the scalp, as suggested by the modification shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. In this latter modification the handle is formed with a single reservoir-chamber 16, at one end of which is detachably fitted the member with the working fingers having the liquid-ducts 1O therein, which detachable connection is designated by the reference character 11 and provides for the convenient filling of the reservoirchamber 16. The said reservoir-chamber 16 accommodates therein a sliding piston-head 17, fitted to the inner end of a stem 18, work ing within a channel 19, formed in the solid end portion of the handle beyond the chamber 16 and provided at its outward extremity with a laterally-projecting knob 20, which is grasped by the fingers to provide for moving the piston-head 17 in a direction to force the liquid out of the chamber 16.

Various other modifications may be resorted to for accomplishing the objects herein pointed out, so I will have it understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A massaging device of the class described, comprising a supporting-handle and a rubbing member carried by said handle, and having a row of elongated spaced working elements, said working elements being individually resilient or pliable, and having means for effecting a rubbing or massaging action. 2. A massaging device consisting of ahandlike rubbing member having a row of individually resilient working fingers provided at or near their tips with contact-faces comprising means for effecting a massaging action, and a handle supporting said member and its fingers.

3. A massaging device of the class described,comprising a supporting-handle and a rubbing member consisting of a body provided with a single row of independentlyyield able resilient working fingers arranged in spaced relation, and extended from one end of the body, said fingers being provided at or near the tips thereof with massagingfaces.

4. A massaging device comprising a rubbing member consisting of a body provided at one end with a supporting-handle and at its opposite end with a row of independentlyyieldable resilient working fingers bent intermediate their ends and provided at or near their tips, and upon the inner sides thereof, with contact-faces for engagement with the scalp.

5. A massaging device comprising a handle carrying a rubbing member consisting of a body provided with a plurality of outwardlyextending independently-yieldable resilient working fingers, provided at or near the tips thereof with rounded contact-faces for engagement with the scalp.

6. A massaging device comprising a handle carrying a rubbing member consisting of a base or body portion having a plurality of outwardly extending independently yieldable resilient fingers, said fingers being provided at or near the tips thereof with yielding contact-faces.

7. A massaging device comprising a supporting-handle,and a hand-like rubbing member carried by said handle, and provided at its end opposite the handle with a terminal row of elongated spaced resilient working fingers, said fingers being intlexed and provided with massaging-faces. V 8. Amassagingdevice of the class described comprising a hand-like rubbing member having a terminal row of resilient working fingers provided at or near the tips thereof with rounded contact-faces located at the inner sides of the fingers, and extending around the extreme outer terminals thereof.

9. A massaging device having a hand-like rubbing member provided at or near the tips of the fingers thereof with rounded contactfaces which are softer than the body of the device.

10. A massaging device having a hand-like rubbing member provided at or near the tips of the fingers thereof with yielding contactfaces.

11. A massaging device having a hand-like rubbing member provided with resilient workin g fingers having yielding contact-faces at or near the tips thereof.

12. A massaging device comprising a handle carrying at one end a rubbing member consisting of a base portion, and a plurality of working fingers extended outwardly from said base portion in spaced relation, said fingers being bent intermediate their ends and provided at or near their tips with rounded contact-faces.

13. A massaging device comprising a handlike rubbing member having a terminal row of resilient working fingers provided at or near the tips thereof with contact-faces for engagement with the scalp, and means for supplying liquid to the contact-faces of the fingers.

14; A massaging device comprising a handle carrying a rubbing member having a ter minal row of outwardly-extending resilient Working fingers and a liquid-duct, and means carried by the handle for supplying liquidv through said duct to the active contacting portions of the device.

15. A massaging device comprising a. handle having an interior reservoir-chamber, and a rubbing member at one end of the handle and provided With a liquid-duct in communication with the reservoir-chamber, said rubbin g member having spaced resilient working fingers provided at or near their tips with c0ntact-faces for engagement with the scalp, and a liquid-forcing device carried by the handle.

16.. A massaging device comprising a ban- 

